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A point is good but should Arsenal have WON at Chelsea?

Judging from the majority of comments from Arsenal fans in the build up to our fifth Premier League game of the season, most Gooners would have gladly taken a point from today’s trip to Stamford Bridge. Perhaps snapped your hand off would be more accurate as we have a rotten record in recent games there and Chelsea were looking much better in the early stages of this campaign.

So coming away with a point is certainly welcome, as was the much improved defensive showing, organisation, determination and all round performance from the gunners today. However, I cannot help but feel that it could have been so much better.

I do not want to criticise the tactics of Arsene Wenger because he got it right from the start, but perhaps he was also too ready to accept the draw when for large parts of the game we looked the more dangerous and likely to score. Was the boss right to make sure we did not lose three away games in a row or should he have gone for all three points?

You could also point to a couple of incidents in which we really should have taken the lead, such as the Welbeck header but most notably the rebound chance put wide by Lacazette, and say that Arsenal could and should have been sharper in front of goal and made the most of our opportunities.

Finally I have to call out the referee Michael Oliver, even though he did send David Luiz off in the end. It was too late for us to really benefit and he should have done it earlier when the Chelsea defender was a lot more reckless than Sadio Mane in going for an overhead kick with players all around him. It is not like people have not been talking about this exact part of the football rulebook recently, but he bottled that decision and if he had not then Wenger would definitely have gone for the win.

Am I right to rue the fact we only got a point from Chelsea away today?

There has to be a Kolasanic “pound” or some place at the Emirates that shakes the building. He is a monster and today I saw him angry. What a sight! I want to see Pogba on his rear end with Kolasanic standing over him in the middle. I want to see Aguero on his rear too, and I think Kolasanic is faster than the city man. With Bellerin on Jesus, we should try to shut them down.

I am skeptical, but there is hope if the fans become the 12th man at the Emirates and internationally on media. Ozil thrives with support, so does Sanchez. Who does not? Well maybe, Kolasanic!

Some, myself included might think him our ONLY quality defensive signing since Koscielny. And therein lies the problem with Wenger – he has only ever actually paid for ONE top CB in his entire tenure; all the others being a long list of duds. Sol Campbell was of course on a free . All the previous top CB defenders we had were inherited and I don’t remotely consider Kolo Toure as top class even though he was in The INVINCIBLES. Wenger just doesn’t get the need for defence and never has or will, either in defence or in midfield and we have had no decent CDM since Gilberto, back in relatively ancient history. He could have bought Kante but , typically, he dithered and we ended up with the slow, relatively immobile, unreliable Xhaka instead.

Try buying an entire team and see how much money you have left for the rest of it. Wenger makes decisions based on what he can spend. But, you have no idea of the limits of being a manager with a limited budget, do you?

And why are we on a limited budget? And if that’s the case, why does Wenger now wait for the last day to try and spend 92M? Arsenal has money it is the inept manager who chooses to conduct our business in the most incompetent and negligent way possible.

So much depends on whether Wenger has the sense to set up like today in future big team away matches ? Or will he quickly revert his insane obsession with beautiful attacking football – which has cost us so much during the last 10 years. ” I vill nevere abandon my attacking principles !”

How can you possibly be rude about the totally sensible and realistic comment made by Chris! If you seriously disagree with his correct comments about Wenger and how he sets up the team at away matches for many years past, you know nothing about the reality of things. Perhaps you have missed the 6-0 at Chelsea, 4-0 at Liverpool, 8-2 at Unted and many other bad defeats because he has ignored our defence. Have you?

It will be hard for anyone who had predicted arsenal defeat at bridge to be positive. Seeing arsenal played better and Chelsea and unlucky to win will be painful for them. Has anyone hear from Konstantin lately.?

I have to agree, we have restored some pride, we played very well and battled hard it was nice to see us pressing high trying to win the ball back at every chance, Welbeck was good, Bellerin had Alonso in his pocket, as for Kolasinic, he’s a monster and will strike fear into attackers as Viera did, it’s about time we had a player of this ilk.
All in all very happy. Let’s move onto up the table now.

In the past Wenger has always gone for the win away from home… no glory in trying ot be attacking and losing by 3 or 4, like at Liverpool….
So its better tactics to set up to keep it tight and nick a goal here or there… then can counter attack…. a draw is fine against top 6 away from home and smash the weaker teams as we should do… get a run going and some confidence from not losing to top 6

Yes, we could have won. Wenger has Conte’s number. I think the Germans are making a difference too mentally. But, without Ozil it was harder for Lacazette today, as there was no proper service. We could not pin Chelsea to the back effectively without that threat of the final ball to Lacazette.

The season is young. We are learning more and more about Kolasanic. He belongs in the middle of the field for me. His physical presence see people being knocked of the ball, and with the ball he just does not allow players to push him around. (I know most here are not appreciating him in the middle, but I suspect Wenger will, esepcially when he needs space for a hopefully recovered Welbeck.) Kolasanic has an amazing shot that has to be used from outside the box along with Xhaka. If they play together they will physically dominate the middle.

We need a RW as that side of the field was/is weak in attack. Ramsay should play there there for now until we get one in January. Or, one of the younger men, Iwobi? RW needs to be able dribble and harry the defense, just as Sanchez does on the left.

Ozil needs to get back in there. We need to understand football better and support what the Germans and the French are bringing in. We have a poacher, let us use him.

As I fan, I think we can use him better. (And, you a coached!) As a RWB in my day, I was light and fast.

The eye test tells me this man dominates. He can dominate the middle, where we are weak and where Xhaka is inconsistent. Kolasanic is comfortable leading too. Playing him in the middle is best for me. You can find fault with the argument with a better argument, but not by attacking me.

Playing him to carry that weight with speed puts him in injury zone too.

Besides, we do not have enough money to buy a specialist of world class for every position. That is what it takes to win the EPL. So the manager tries different combos, though nothing as outrageous as what I suggest…!

A) he’s not defensively aware enough to play there , he would miss people running off his shoulder he’s excellent where he Is
b) we are the FIFTH richest club in the world stop going on about what we cannot afford

a) I am happy to watch the season through and see just how defensively aware Kolasanic is. To me Kolasanic is a manager’s player and will learn/do what he is told. Then he will enforce the manager’s wishes too. In time! I do not think a younger player at Arsenal will dare to cross him and that is needed. Wenger needs some players in house to keep the local youth from being too laddish and from talking too much (Jack, Theo, etc. are example of that English culture of the recent past, which being done with with the departure of the Ox).

b) Fifth richest? It means we are at least 5th in being able to get the best players, as we reflect that in performance at least two other clubs are above us in the EPL. Notice that Chelsea who are the 6th richest, have a billion in debt too. And, PSG is now in the top three with silly money from Qatar. Add the luck of the Spurs in being able to hold on to player (for now) and a finally rising Liverpool, it is a tough place for Arsenal.

So, keep dropping down the list of rich clubs and the changes elsewhere in the top six, and you can see how brilliant Wenger has been at getting some of the best players in the world in some positions that count. If not for crazy PSG money we might have had a chance for a Lamar.

We can play with heart on certain days, but at the end, other teams do that too. Quality matters at this level. Let us hope that City move on with another player at the end of the season, and so too with United. Then just maybe we have a chance with both Sanchez and Ozil. If can somehow pay them enough to stay and fix the RW and CM, we have shot at more than the FA Cup.

What we are missing is the 12th man at home and internationally on the media. That might give us 4th place or more this season. Anything above that is a minor miracle.

I think you are another deluded Arsene… Please dont start this idea of playing players off position again. As we dont want another Ox bellerin and Holdings position swap. Thanks Mr Coachee… Let them enjoy their natural positions

A win would have been better but a draw to bolster morale of the players is not bad at all! from the look of things, Wenger seems to be Conte’s nightmare…Let’s move forward from this draw! up gunners!!

I would taken a draw at the start of the match though with David Luiz sent off we could off won it, we should take it as a positive though, we should now give our best players a much earned rest and give the younger players a chance

Ramsey on the right wing doesn’t work at all. He abandons his responsibilities, can’t dribble past opponents, and starves Ozil of space he needs to be Ozil. Not to mention Bellerin left alone both offensively and defensively.

Playing Sead in middle is interesting I’ll agree with you on that, but we are much much weaker with Monreal at LB than Sead.

I’d rather see Nelson at RW than Ramsey. Nelson has technique, good finishing (from limited playing time), great link up play; basically everything Ramsey is missing for RW. Don’t care to see Ramsey mucking up the RW again ever, i mean ever.

Full stop whining about money J J, you realize Arsenal MADE money in window?
They suck at transfers; £55 million for Lemar and Arsenal offer £40 million then £45 million and waste August; but offer £90 million on last day of window?

Even Wenger was like damn that was stupid. I dithered and wasted August and then almost paid double what Monaco wanted in August.

I agree about Ramsey. I have yet to see a younger player though who can do well there. If it means signing Nelson to a longer deal, and then using him, I am happy. I still have to see his quality though at this level, though you are likely correct. (I have some paper selections with Nelson there.)

I think Wenger needs to play Ramsey to sign him longer term. So, we need to bear with that for the moment. He is least capable of damage out there. Right now he leaves Xhaka alone in the middle, and it goes back for the back three.

Monreal is weaker, but who will plug the middle the way Sead can I am sure?

On the money, point taken. However, I am pointing to the limits of getting players despite being a big club. It is not Wenger’s fault and it is really sad to see the constant attacks. I am happy to attack the owners for not having 200M for transfers. Wenger has money to get one great player and that is sad for a big club like ours.

@JJ
Won’t be surprised to see players sign 2-3 year contracts then leave free. Higher wages for players, cheaper for clubs, (no transfer fees), and greedy agents still get their taste too.
Creates mercenaries unfortunately, but hopefully more competitive football for more clubs, with many able to offer competitive wages and more playing time.

More i consider Sead K playing centrally, more i want to see it happen. Hopefully like Coq 2 years ago, but better passing. Nice point JJ, wish we all could debate your statement, make for positive forum

When we are leading 2-0 or 3-0, Wenger gets scared of losing the lead (Newcastle, Anderlecht comes to mind), so we start playing it safe. That is why we never win big. Bournemouth game should’ve ended 5-0 but didnt because Wenger played it safe.

This is why our GD will never be near the top, and that is already a huge step backwards in the “title race”.

We cannot financially compete with Chelsea, City or United. We have Wenger to try to out gun them elsewhere, and that is why we need him as manager. If only we can get the owner to pay for two more world class players of 50 to 75 million each, we might compete with the bigger teams and even win in their stadiums.

Hehehe that’s funny, so when we moved to the emirates and promised we will compete with the best, who exactly did the best refered to? Spurs?

And saying those with money we can’t compete with, how did Leicester do it? can you accept that Wenger with no money for 13 years can’t give his all tactically and do it just once like how Ranieri did? Wenger had repetitive of failed season and still you say that’s why he’s manager to take us forward? Wenger stop that, you are too funny

McLovin, surely you don’t seriously think we have any chance in the “title race” as you call it? The thought that this lot of ours are in the “title race” is bizarre and ludicrous, even though we played well today. We are only just about even in the race for the top four, as outsiders of the six runners. Stupid unhinged optimism does the club no favours and if you seriously want us to challenge again for the title , you should do what all realistic fans do; call for the heads of Wenger, Kroenke and Gazidis. THEN AND ONLY THEN , WE MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE.

“Stupid unhinged optimism does the club no favours and if you seriously want us to challenge again for the title , you should do what all realistic fans do; call for the heads of Wenger, Kroenke and Gazidis. THEN AND ONLY THEN , WE MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE.”

Polite? Ha! Ha!

What you need to know is some economics and politics. FYIL the French president asked the Saudi to lift sanctions on Qatar.

Call for Wenger, Kroenke and Gazidis heard. If we do, who’s going to serve us their heads on platters?. See my friend we are in what is called “one chance in my country”. That is we are in loss- loss situation.

A good outing. I already forseen this result. Good subs atleast by wenger. This was exactly a master stroke of an act frm d gaffer. His subs has being smthing always flawing his everyday working ethics as a manager.

The point is not great given that the gap with the top of the table continues to grow. But what is more important to me is that this was a promising performance. If any team should be frustrated with just the point it was us, the fact Conte was happy with the draw tells you the quality of our performance.

Bigger question, does this point at the question whether Ozil should play in the big games?

Playing Jack is not a bad suggestion. But to me Ozil is second to none when we play teams who are inferior to us which are all but 6 teams IMO. So better keep Ozil until he leaves in a few months at the end of the season.

And, Jack is better against the big teams? He cannot even play the junior level without being bullied. He late passing style invites injury and then with it, being dominated. You know that there is almost no club interested in Jack services in the EPL?

Masterstroke of tactics even if we lost today the energy and industry of the boys is what fans are looking for the commitment was there I’m actually glad ozil was not fit because if he was fit wenger would have played him and if he was watching he might realise that he might not be automatic choice in certain matches

I think it was a well earned point away from home; credit to the team. Good thing is that this was accomplished without Ozil and Sanchez starting. Should give team more confidence and hopefully put pressure on them as well.

I am sure both teams feel, the draw was fine and a fair result and of course both teams can say “if only…”
For me this was the most promising performance against a top team in the PL in many years.
This is how, we need to play the top teams away, if we ever are ever win the league again.

Ozil hater HERE, i have said sell Ozil long ago and i say so without any apology, is he a good player, sure. but being the assist master does not win you the league, goals and defense do in the EPL.

Yes i would have liked Iwobi to have provided chances for Welbz and Laca, but his main job was to assisted in the middle of the park so that we did not get overrun and that was done we do not normally see Walcott and Ozil standing firmly with defenders in their back helping the midfield to move the ball, the ball would have been lost and arsenal would have been countered on many occasion.

Arsenal has nothing to lose if Iwobi is allowed to continue play in the Ozil position, he can only get better and with Ozil sending signals, i hope Arsenal do sell him January, i have a strong feeling with all the gossip of manu, real madrid, Barca and others wanting him his just games being played by his agents to get arsenal to give him a better deal, in truth Arsenal would be stupid to give Ozil any raise, this is a gentlemen who no one came in for over the summer.

What wenger should be doing is looking two or three more signing like kolasinac

“…being the assist master does not win you the league, goals and defense do in the EPL.”

So you want your #10 to defend? Ha! Ha! I hope you will be happy when City picks him up.

The brawn game of the English could never make it to international levels or dominate the game as City and Spurs do. That is the old style English mentality never wins anything outside of qualifying for the World Cup.

Hopefully, the new batch of players do better. Kane & Co. are lethal, and I hoping England has a better tournament in Russia.

“Arsenal has nothing to lose if Iwobi is allowed to continue play in the Ozil position” – we dropped 2 points today because Ozil wasn’t there, so don’t be ridiculous. WITH Ozil, we won 3 games out of 4 against Chelsea prior to today.

I enjoyed watching the game because of its intensity. It’s been a while. Our defence was solid and organized, and yes, we should have won. But I still think it was a good point.

I didn’t miss Ozil much yesterday. He can be rested so that we can try other options according to the oppenent, tactics and fitness. Seems to me, Iwobi did not produce a lot against Chelsea and I would rather see Ramsey there and bring Elneny alongside with Xhaka. I am not a big fan of Ramsey but he has been doing good in recent games. I would like to see him play more attacking roles.

And Xhaka, I am not very convinced whether he deserves our first choice in his position. He can pass and shoot long range for sure, but he is slow and just jogs around and defensively, doesn’t offer much. I prefer Elneny but we may well try more different combinations.

Finally, a lot of credits to our back 3. They were giving their 120% yesterday. That’s all I want from our players.

I thought Lacazette was bought & preferred over Giroud was bcoz he is more mobile, more robust & much faster.
Yes, he need time to adjust but to be outsmarted, out muscled & out run by Luiz & Cahill who are in their 30s??
sigh..